[Blindmath] AP Statistics

Tue Sep 21 20:44:27 UTC 2010

Hello,

   I am a legally blind mathematics major fulfilling a concentration in statistics.  I know the z- and t-tables very well.  I am a Braille reader, but I do my math work visually.  As I'm sure you know very well, it is important to both line up the row and column corresponding to the desired values in the table, and this task might be a nightmare with an audio file.  A document with some form of a spatial layout is most helpful to me.  In order to create a Braille copy of a z- or t-table, one would need to either put it on an enormous piece of Braille paper or spread out the table over many sheets.  The latter of which is more feasible to produce, store, and transport, but it will likely take a little extra time.  I, personally, use a screen magnifier called ZoomText with a full cross pointer locator, and, when I put my pointer on the desired value, my full cross shows me which row and column correspond.  For example, I'm referring to how 1.4 and .06 represent 1.46.  I definitely recommend a spatial layout if at all possible, and I do certainly agree with you about how Braille-compatible file types should be readily available right next to the PDFs.  I think that you could make a difference about this issue if you call the NFB's national office and discuss your experience with our leaders.  We, in the NFB, have helped resolve many issues like this one.  I know someone on our Resolutions Committee, and I'll give him a heads-up that the issue exists.  Your experience will be valuable if you provide it.

Thank you for working hard to accommodate your student and prepare him for success in college!

Justin Salisbury

Justin M. Salisbury
Undergraduate Student
The University Honors Program
East Carolina University
salisburyj08 at students.ecu.edu

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."    -Aristotle
________________________________________
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of John Gardner [john.gardner at orst.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 10:37 AM
To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] AP Statistics

Hi Sean.  I'm sure that readers of this will agree that accessible College
Board materials should be provided.  My opinion is that the right accessible
format is DAISY XML.  This form can be read directly in speech or Braille,
and it can also be translated routinely to a variety of bralle formats.
Most of this capability exists today, although better, more user-friendly
improvements are still needed.

Information about DAISY is available from www.daisy.org.  FYI the DAISY XML
format is presently being integrated with epub so that the next version of
epub will be an excellent format for everybody.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Sean Tikkun
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 7:16 AM
To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindmath] AP Statistics

I am looking for Braille materials related to AP Statistics.  Namely z and t
score charts and the formula sets.  Some of the formulas are particularly
unwieldy in Nemeth.  As a sighted teacher who is a mathematician I'm wanting
to prepare my student well for what he will need to do and access in
College.

I'm getting the materials from the College Board.  But it seemed very
inequitable that sighted people could download  PDF instantly, and a blind
person would need to call in a request and be on the phone for over an hour
to get the same materials in braille.  Am I crazy or shouldn't there be a
BRF and TXT file right next to that PDF?  In  perfect world that is...

Any help, advice or experience would be appreciated.

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